Quick Facts
Biography
Prem Nath Dar (25 July 1914 – 6 September 1976) was an Urdu-language short story writer from the Kashmir Valley. His short stories are generally recognised as progressive writings of the mid-twentieth century.
Transformation to a short story writer
in early 1940s, while in Delhi, he got in touch with Urdu literary circle Halqa-e Arbab-e Zauq, and started writing short stories in Urdu. The writers of Halqae Arbab Zauq used to meet at his house in Sita Ram Bazaar which was attended by some known writers of that time, including Devendra Satyarthi, Josh Malihabadi, Arsh Malciani Jagan Nath, Sagar Nizami, and Rewati Sharan Sharma. The venue later changed to Delhi College, Delhi. After the 1960s, his responsibilities at All India Radio kept him occupied, leaving less time for literary activities.
Writing style
His writings were deeply influenced by the Marxist writings of the then progressive writers of India and his readings of the Russian literature, which left deep impressions of the socialistic ideology. The socio-political movements and the social structure of that time in India also played a significant role in moulding his writing style.
Prem Nath Dar’s first collection of short story Kaghaz Ka Vasudev aur dighar afsaaney was the first presentation of Halqae Arbab Zauq, Delhi (Halqae Arbab Zauq ki paheli pesh kash.) Halqae Arbab Zauq was a popular literary circle in Delhi providing a platform to budding writers in Urdu. It was an instant success and was appreciated by leading Urdu Writers of that time from India- Salahuddin Ahamad, Syyed Ahtesshan Hussein, Josh Malihabadi and Pakistan- Maulana Salahuddin Ahamad, editor Adabi Duniya, Lahore. This collection of short stories is now reprinted by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language[15].